By now many of you have no
doubt heard of a new seventh grade program developing for the 2004-2005 school
year.
1. Why is BCS
starting a new program at the seventh grade?
The BCS school board began
looking at new models for learning as part of its long range planning process
in the late 1990’s. Since that time
interest has grown among some staff and families for a more personalized
program for students.
During school year 2002-2003
reports were given to the BCS Education Committee and School Board and approval
for a grant to fund a new model program was given by both groups.
2. What staff will be involved?
In February
3. Where will
this program meet?
A room, D12, on the Clyde
Hill campus has been allocated for the 2004-05 school year. Start up funding will allow for purchase of
computers and other equipment to make this a technology rich environment.
4. Is this a
full time program for students?
Students meet together for
four out of seven periods to study the core subjects of science, math, social
studies, and English. During the other
three periods they will participate in the junior high elective program,
including one semester of Bible, with other seventh and eighth grade
students. In addition, students will be
integrated into the larger junior high community for chapel, special outings,
athletics, and other extracurricular programs.
5. How will
this school be different than the typical program for junior high students?
Students will be taught in a
more integrated fashion over an extended block of time (approximately 3 hours
per day). The class size will be much
smaller so learning will be more personalized.
The four core subjects will be organized around thematic,
interdisciplinary units. Integrative
studies are more likely to engage student interest and use student gifts because
they situate learning in whole life contexts.
6. How will parents be involved?
Parents will be asked to
attend goal setting and evaluation conferences with the student and teacher
several times per year. In addition,
parents will visit the classroom on a quarterly basis observing and assisting
where appropriate. We may ask parents to
help with driving on field trips or to chaperone school events as is the
typical practice in the junior high.
7.
Will there be tests and homework?
Certainly
there will be some tests and work that will need to be done outside of class
time. However, the major forms
of assignments
and assessment will be more reflective and less “objective” in nature. Assessment could include: 1) anecdotal records and observational notes,
2) curriculum based checklists, 3) portfolios of student work, 4) performances
and exhibitions of accomplishments, 5) teacher-student conferences and student
led parent conferences, 6) goal setting and student self-evaluation, and 7)
cooperative report cards created by teachers, students, and parents. In the end, the way we assess students drives
what we teach them. We assess what we
value, and students come to value what we assess. Assessment practices either support the goals
of instruction or they will undermine them.
Therefore, assessment must be widely focused on a rich variety of
information and student work. Student
work will be project and product oriented.
8. How is this
program funded?
9. How will
students be selected?
Enclosed with this letter are
three application forms. The family
information form is to be completed by the parent(s) or guardian(s). The student information form is to be
completed by the student with the help of the parent(s) or guardian(s) as
needed. The teacher evaluation form is
to be completed by the student’s current teacher. You will notice that some of the questions
are similar. We are not looking for one
correct answer. We are looking for answers
from the perspectives of the parent, student and teacher.
Applications received by the June
11 deadline will be evaluated by the director and lead teacher. Selection criteria will include student
interest and program structure.
10. Does this
take the place of the SAS program?
11. How will
current brain research be used in developing the program?
Dr.
12. Where do we
get more information?
Call or email
13. How do I
apply?
Current BCS families may fill
out forms available on the BCS website.
In order to be considered in the first round of applications, the Parent
and Student forms must be returned to Mr. Krell in the high school office by FRIDAY,
JUNE 11. The teacher recommendation
form should be received by the last day of school, Thursday, June 17. Families from outside of BCS must first be
accepted into the junior high program through the regular admissions
process. To find out more about applying
to BCS contact
I hope this gives you the
kind of information you need to make an informed decision about enrolling your
son or daughter for the 2004-05 school year.
These application materials will be downloadable through the BCS website
at http://www.bellevuechristian.org/faculty/tkrell/praxis/index.htm.
Sincerely,